fitness

Best Workout Apps for 2019: Top Fitness and Health Apps

November 20, 2018 By Lisa 1 Comment

This past year has been one of my most successful years when it comes to weight loss. While we all know that exercise is good for us, physically and mentally, acting on what we know isn’t as easy as we’d like. And if you’re like me, going to the gym can sometimes be a struggle. Life happens, and we end up feeling guilty for not taking care of ourselves as we’d hoped. The good news is that technology has come to the rescue in a big way. When you look at the Best Workout Apps for both iPhone and Android, you’ll see there are fitness apps for all different types of people and fitness apps for all different goals. Fitness apps that give you a measure of your fitness achievements have been gaining popularity lately because they’re easy to access and provide a wide range of fitness levels; from the beginner to the more advanced.

They also allow you to choose the duration of your workout so that if you have a busy schedule you can fit in 7 minutes of exercising that actually make a difference in the long run. I’ve put together a list of some of the best fitness apps I’ve found. Hope you’ll be able to find the best fitness app for you!

Benefits of Health and Fitness Apps

– Make it easy to create an account which is crucial for when you have to change phones
– You can easily sync all your devices: smartwatches, tablets, laptops, etc.
– Makes way for some healthy competition with fellow app members
– Provide you with notifications to keep you motivated and ready for your next workout
– Adding your personal information like your gender, age, weight, and height allows the app to provide you with personalized workouts
– Help you set up goals and work with you step- by-step to achieve them

Each app is unique in the way it delivers fitness right to your doorstep. Yet they have features that aim to please and make your life easier while providing you with the fitness you need.

Features of Health and Wellness Apps

– Exercise routines that are already set up; some are customizable, others are only differentiated by fitness levels
– Activity tracking to keep track of your activities from walking to cycling, running to swimming
– Geolocation helps you plan your running routes, record the locations and track your runs
– Food logging makes it easy to keep track of what you’ve eaten
– Barcode scanners which provide you with all the necessary information just with the click of a button

Now that we’ve read about the benefits and features of health and fitness apps, let’s consider the best workout apps for 2019.

Best Workout Apps for 2019

Couch to 5K

If you’ve followed my weight loss journey, you’ve heard me talk about Couch to 5K. The great thing about this app is that it’s designed to help beginners reach that 5K goal. It takes about 20 minutes 3 times a week for 9 weeks. There are virtual coaches who help you along with your workouts and track your progress. Another great feature of this app is that once you’ve accomplished your goal, you can take it a step further and download the 5K to 10K app.

7-Minute Workout

Some days are so hectic you don’t have an entire half an hour to spare for exercising. This app fixes that problem with workouts lasting only 7 minutes. While you’d think a 7 minute workout would be easy, you’d be wrong. You can choose from individual body-part workouts or workouts for your entire body. They’re quick, easy, efficient, and most importantly, make a difference.

MyFitnessPal

This one has been around for some time, but it’s chock full of user-friendly, smart options which make it a success. It has a huge food database, diet trackers where you can keep a dieting journal, create healthy meals, and provide you with nutritional tips and advice. Plus, it has a calorie counter and personalized workouts according to your body type and diet.

HeadSpace

Just as your body needs a good workout, your mind needs one too. This app demonstrates how to practice mindfulness to boost focus and concentration levels while regulating your sleep cycle.

Some of its features are guided breathing, meditation techniques, soothing music and calming bedtime stories. A great feature of this app is that it meets every level of meditator out there from the beginner to the pro.

Aaptiv

A unique app on its own, it consists of over 2500 audio workout sessions with 15 trainers who create new ones on a weekly basis. The app also provides accompanying music to boost your motivation level and get you moving.

Beachbody on Demand

Transform your body and your life with Beachbody on Demand. This app allows you to stream over 700 workouts. They also have fitness and nutrition plans to make reaching your goals easier.

Strava

This app is ideal for cyclists and runners who prefer to take their workouts outside. Strava helps you track your speed, pace, distance and how many calories you’ve burned. It has personalized workout plans, live feedback during your activities as well as even provides you with more detailed evaluation after you’ve finished which allows you to view certain points in your workout.

Another great perk is that it includes a social network where you can join clubs, meet fellow members and share your stats.

Qinetic

Qinetic is a video service which lets you stream workout classes so you can enjoy your favorite workout whenever you have the time. The top professionals in the fitness industry provide fitness classes that cover everything, from yoga to Zumba to an intense cardio workout. They also stream nutrition classes to cater to every lifestyle and dietary needs. The best part? They can all be streamed on your Apple Watch.

Freeletics Bodyweight

A great app that gets you fit, healthy and energized by working on toning your body and building your muscles. You’ll take a fitness test before you start so they can individualize a weekly exercise routine that’s specific only to your body type and needs.

Another great plus is that it makes it easy to do the workouts in a small space if your apartment is cramped or you don’t have lots of room to move around.

Sworkit

Sworkit stands for ‘Simply Work It’ and it lives up to its name. With lots of professional trainers, 200 different types of exercises, and the perks of either choosing from pre-set routines or customizing your own, this app has it all. It’s so resourceful, it also has a kids’ app.

When you first start, you set your current fitness level and you’ll get a 6-week program with tailored weekly workout routines. It comes with video demos of how each exercise should be done and has a variety of intensity levels to meet all fitness level needs.

Keelo

Providing quick, fast-paced, fun HIIT workouts, this app is quick and effective. It also comes with bodyweight and equipment workouts for a more intense calorie burn. All workouts are between 7 and 20 minutes. This app also provides you with a virtual coach who gives you feedback and answers any questions you may have.

What are your favorite fitness apps?

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Christmas Shape Up 30 Day Workout Challenge

October 10, 2018 By Lisa 15 Comments

Christmas will be here before you know it…and then it will be a brand new year! Rather than waiting til the New Year starts, consider joining me for the Christmas Shape Up 30 Day Workout Challenge this year! I have created two great printable options to help you focus on your health between now and January 1st (although you can use them all year long). One of the best ways to stay on top of your health regimen is to be held accountable. This exercise tracker and the water tracker are ideal for a Christmas Shape Up Challenge. The challenge is 30 days, but with these printables, you can do this throughout the year and not just leading up to the holidays.

Christmas Shape Up 30 Day Workout Challenge

As with any health or workout change, you should consult with your physician to make sure you are safe to proceed. Most low-impact exercise is totally safe, but it is always wise to double check before making any changes in your health routine.

The holidays are always tough on people trying to lose weight or get healthy. With all of the treats and big holiday events with decadent meals, it is tough to watch what you eat. Our printable exercise tracker and water tracker is ideal for helping you to lose weight by Christmas. The Christmas Shape Up 30 Day Workout Challenge is one that focuses on drinking more water, exercising, and staying focused on better health options.

The daily workout challenge includes:

Jumping Jacks- 50
Squats- 20
Mountain Climbers- 20
Crunches- 50
Burpees- 20
Lunges- 20 each leg
Push Ups- 15
Plank- 30 seconds

Doing each of these exercises daily is the biggest part of the workout challenge. Additionally, drinking water and eating healthier options is vital to your success.

How To Use Our 30 Day Workout Challenge Printables:

The Christmas Shape Up Workout Challenge printable is ideal for you to keep track of your daily workouts. We’ve also included a complete Water Tracker printable that is ideal for helping remind you to drink water each day. You can print these out each month and document your routine to hold yourself accountable.

Print your 30 Day Workout Challenge Printable and your Water Tracker Printable.
Measure your waist, hips, stomach, chest, thighs, and arms. Mark these measurements down to track as you continue with the plan. Remember, gaining strength and losing inches is more important than the numbers listed on a scale.
Follow the recommended exercises listed on the 30 day workout challenge printable. If you are unable to complete moves, adapt to the best of your ability. I also recommend adding in extra walking or jogging/running if you are able to increase more cardio and calorie burning.
Eat nutrient-dense foods and avoid processed foods. This includes making more food from scratch at home, snacking on fruits and vegetables, and avoiding eating out.
Drink more water daily. I prefer using a fruit infuser water bottle or a large 64-ounce water bottle that allows me to drink my water more easily.
Repeat the 30 day workout challenge as often as desired.

This 30 day workout challenge is ideal for you to begin getting fit and make changes before the holidays hit. Work on increasing your water intake and eating nutrient-dense foods to provide fuel for your body as you work through these exercises each day.

More Fitness Tips:

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Getting Motivated: Finding My “Why”

September 28, 2012 By Lisa Leave a Comment

I shared earlier this week that I was unhappy with the girl in the mirror, that I was struggling on my weight loss journey. I realized that one of the reasons is that I’m all over the place as far as motivation goes. Some days I want to lose weight so I can fit into smaller clothes, some days I exercise because I want to be a better example for my kids, and some days I can’t come up with a reason to eat right and exercise so I don’t. Not super impressive, is it.

I know that when you’re beginning a new health and fitness routine, one of the most important questions you should ask yourself is “Why?”. It’s a crucial question, yet it’s one I failed to ask myself. I know that when I have a clear, concise answer to this question, I’m more focused and more successful.

It’s the same for you. If you have a clear, concise and well-grounded answer to this question, you’ll be able to stick with your exercise routine through good times and bad. You’ll know why you’re opting for egg-whites and veggies instead of that sugary donut, you’ll understand why you put in the time at the gym and you’ll have the motivation to keep at it even when your muscles hurt and all you want to do is eat chocolate. It’ll make all the difference.

On the other hand, if you don’t know your “why,” chances are you’ll start your workout routine, stick with it for a few days or weeks and then fall off the bandwagon when the going gets tough. After all, getting healthy takes effort. You need to have the motivation to make it happen.

Identify Your “Why”

Start with looking at your health and fitness goals. Different kinds of goals tend to have different motivations.

Are you just trying to lose some weight? If so, what’s the most important thing you think you’d gain by losing that weight? Is it better health, more energy and most likely, a longer lifespan? Is it more social acceptance? Is it fitting into a specific size? Or more attention from the opposite sex?

Look at your goals and ask yourself: Why do I want my body to look this way? Often times finding your “why” is a matter of looking inward rather than outward.

Write Down Your “Why”

As the saying goes, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” To keep your “why” alive, write it down on paper and keep it somewhere visible.

On days when you just don’t feel like getting up to go to the gym, that piece of paper can give you the push you need to get off the couch and into the gym.

Writing out your “why” also serves another function. Often times when trying to figure out your why, you’ll have a sense for it but not be able to put it into one concise sentence. Writing it out will help you form your why into a more concrete form.

To sum it up, finding your why is one of the most important aspects of being able to successfully make changes and stick with them. If you have a strong enough reason for wanting to change your body, you can. Just make sure to keep reminding yourself of that reason, especially when times get tough.

If you’ve already found your “Why?”, I’d love to hear what it is. Leave me a comment! If you’re struggling, leave a comment as well. You’re not in this alone!

Photo Credit: openpad

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You Choose {Motivation Monday}

July 9, 2012 By Lisa Leave a Comment

Source: lets-start-now.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

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Health & Fitness Tips for Summer

June 1, 2012 By Lisa Leave a Comment

June is here and the temperatures are rising! That means fun in the sun, extra light in the evenings, cookouts, and other seasonal activities. We’re heading to the beach in 2 weeks and I’m really looking forward to it. While summer means additional fun, there are things you need to keep in mind! So to help you enjoy your summer and keep it healthy and safe, here are some health and fitness tips for the season.

Sunshine

It’s certainly true that there are healthful benefits to getting some sunlight exposure. Your body needs the sun to make vitamin D, and to get adequate levels you need to be exposed for at least 15 minutes without sunscreen. There are lots of mixed views of sunscreen. I think this video about nutrition and sunlight is worth watching. I typically burn easily, however, I’ve recently been watching my nutritional intake and I spent 3 days in the sun this weekend without getting sunburned! If your nutrition is not up to par, you’ll want to make sure to wear sunscreen.

Produce

Summer is the time for fresh garden produce. These healthful foods are said to be most nutritious when they are in season, so stock up at your local farmer’s market. You also might consider freezing or preserving some of summer’s bounty. It’s a great boost to your health to load up on fresh produce. After all, fruits and vegetables not only taste yummy but they can also help to prevent cancer and will help keep your heart healthy as well!

Get Active

Now is a wonderful time to get into physical activities like hiking, biking, swimming, and pretty much any outdoor game or sport. Keeping fit is more important these days than ever, with more and more opportunities arising to sit in front of a screen. Take advantage of summer’s warm temperatures and evening light to get out and get physically active.

My family has a tradition of family jogs during the spring and summer months. We do Couch to 5K as a family and I usually reward the girls at the end of the time if they can run 30 minutes without stopping!

Heat

Another health and safety tip that bears mentioning is heat. Depending on your location, summer can get dangerously hot. Be aware of the signs of heat stroke:

* Copious or increased sweating
* Paleness, loss of color in the face
* Headache
* Feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint
* Nausea or vomiting
* Muscle cramps

Always get to an air-conditioned room or car as soon as possible if any of these symptoms are present. When you are outside, have access to shade so that you don’t get overheated.

Hydration

In the summer, you’ll need to have a drink of water handy much more often than in the cooler months. In fact, it’s a good idea to take water along when you are doing anything in the summer, from running errands to hiking. Staying hydrated helps ward off heat exhaustion and keeps your body in balance. If you’re going for a long hike or bike ride, you may want to pick up a Camelbak HydroBak 50 oz Hydration Pack. I love my Camelbak!

So head on outside, soak up some rays, play with your kids, and enjoy your summer!

What’s your favorite summer activity?

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